Kate rules

Forgot to say good luck MissMay! Let us know how it goes/how you're doing. Kate

That is so awesome Amy! I wanna smash my glucose meter. Anyone else have medical goals?

I overdid it today and lifted my 4 year-old up when he fell and hit his head. He is 40 pounds and I'm not supposed to lift over 10 pounds. I'm a little sore but nothing major. I feel better that I got off the three pounds I put on post-op but worried my first goal won't be met when I hoped it would be. Really wanted to get 9 pounds off in next six weeks but fill isn't for another 4 weeks and I feel almost no restriction. I feel that 1.5 pounds per week isn't an unreasonable goal - 5200 calories per week, 800 calories per day calorie deficit. I'm scared that I've plateaued because I lost weight before surgery. I know I'm not the only one freaking out - I just needed to get all that out. Why am I so insecure?

I'm with the others on this: find another doctor. I will see my PA for fills. But the office staff is wonderful and patient.

You can eat pizza? I miss pizza...

Well, you won't be the first to not lose weight in preop phase. Your banding is a new start. I'm sure your doc will not be thrilled but he wants you to succeed. You'll be fine but start cleaning up act now.

I'm going to deviate from our comrades and say that it takes a lot of maturity to admit that we are not necessarily ready to commit to something. 18 is young for those of us who have seen years come and go. But 18 is old for you, I recognize that. I would work with a counselor in reference to your concerns and your perception that you are not "the beautiful girl" but maybe the band isn't for you. You may be ready in a year or never at all. Either way, best of luck and health to you.

Hi Janette, I definitely understand why you're so scared. My biggest fear is failing the band (the band can't fail me!) after all the hard work and time I put into getting the band. If you've read all the posts on here, you know that the first few weeks post-band varies greatly, as does the diet prescribed by our different doctors. I've gone off the wagon twice since I was banded, but I got back on the "band wagon" and have lost a total of 5 pounds since I was banded two weeks ago, but a total of 33 pounds since May 17, so no complaints here. The best advice I can give (as a newly banded person) is to not be hard on yourself. One thing I have found myself doing for the first time in my life is reading nutrition labels on food. I'm trying to weigh what my body needs vs. what my brain wants. I have found that I no longer have ANY taste for bread. Bread was my number 1 food mourning item. For some reason I no longer want it, thank goodness! So, one day at a time, one food choice at a time, one choice to exercise at a time. If you fall short on one decision, don't throw the baby out with the bath water, just make a better decision the next time. Will be thinking about you, good luck and speedy recovery. Kate

Check your measurements. I was banded two weeks ago, lost a LOT of weight before surgery, and only lost 3 pounds after surgery. But lost 2 INCHES OFF MY WAIST AND HIPS!!! 4 inches in two weeks. If you're hitting gym and eating right, you probably are losing inches in your thighs, hips, arms, legs, but may not necessarily see impact right away. Take measurements today and do again in one week. If you haven't lost pounds, maybe you will have lost inches.

Thanks everyone. MissMay, you and I could be twins for weight loss! LOL. I'm shooting for 120, but I'm going to see how I look/feel at 140. I'm well endowed in chest so not sure super skinny is best look for me. I'm only 5'3" but have athletic build. How is everyone else determining their goal weight? Maybe I'm not being realistic...

Finally dropped back down to 172! Yea! Alright, now I'm on a mission to drop 9 pounds by Sept. 27. My hubby's birthday and 163 puts me at a bmi of 29! I have a LBD (little black dress) that is elegant and should fit with that weight. Or, maybe I should go for my hot pink calvin klein... I love having options! Either way it will be a happy birthday for my hubby!

Have a bit of discomfort still in the midline. Kind of weird since no incisions or port there. I am eating 2 eggs (cooked with olive oil) for Breakfast, trying for 2 shakes per day, having chicken with a tiny bit of broth for lunch with very well cooked lima Beans, and been having ham for dinner. I was eating mashed potatoes, but think that they contributed to a lower rate of weight loss. I still do some popsicles, but fewer because the cold seems to bug the band. Maybe 1000 calories per day, but I do work 10 hours per day and commute 2 hours. Been walking around neighborhood and playing with kids for exercise. I've also been using my dear husband as part of my exercise routine (if you know what I mean!). LOL I love my boobs! I love saying that. Seriously, I am loving the changes I am seeing in my body. I'm totally learning a new sense of love for my body. I think I might be plateaued on weight loss for now, but I can live with losing inches instead. Either way, I'm winning because I am losing.

I'm eating more than I thought I would be able to, but way less than I used and way differently than I used to. Before I started pre-op diet I had a lot of bread, butter, fries, cheese, pasta, all stuff I can't do now. I tried eating a piece of a tortilla the other day and spit it out. Was proud. Just ate fajitas naked with a little cheese. Big step for me. I've had ice cream twice, child portions, as opposed to a 5 scoop monster with peanut butter, whipped cream, heath bar and chocolate fudge. I felt guilty both times! I would have felt hog happy before for managing to demolish such a monster! So I feel some physical restriction but mentally I impose restrictions because I want this to work.

No regrets here. I found the courage to get banded and to take control of my body after years of struggling. It has only been two weeks and I've lost really only 3 pounds with band, but the hope I felt going into the surgery gave me strength to lose 27 on my own, how cool is that? Now I know, for the first time, that I CAN lose weight without drugs that could hurt my body. I just have a little friend inside me who reminds me when enough is enough. If/how much I lose from here is still entirely under my control.

Down 30 pounds since starting pre-op diet on 5/17. Only 3 pounds since 7/6, though. But better to be down 3 than up, so I will take it. 55 pounds to go until my ultimate goal weight. Here's to us becoming too skinny.

My abdomen still hurts. The midline hurts for no apparent reason. Port is in upper right chest. I haven't lost any weight in a week but I've lost 2 inches off my waist. I'm guessing I'm putting on muscle in my arms and legs. Been walking and doing weights with arms - only light ones though. Don't want big arms. Toned, pretty, non chicken wing arms. What a dream!

LOL! She said this before I went back to the little room. Just realized that might have come out wrong! Hehe...

Oh my goodness! I am at ob/gyn office and the office manager just came up to me and said I look fantastic! I've lost 20 pounds since my last visit and I guess it shows! What a nice thing for her to say.

I'm there too! Lost 5 pounds right after surgery, now two weeks later I've put on 2.5 pounds, but I have lost inches! I've lost two inches off my waist, 1.5 in off my bust and another 2 in off my hips. I was majorly bumming until I did measurements. Now, I'm feeling much better. Was feeling like a complete failure.

Thanks Amy, will try more chicken at meal time. I really fell off wagon last night when I got home from work at 1 a.m. and ate two small bowls of cereal. I had the high protein dinner, I just don't understand! I was losing weight just fine during pre-op and eating foods I normally eat, just in smaller quantities. Ugh... first fill, hurry up!

I'm eating a lot! 1/4 cup of food? No, no way. Try 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups. Trying to stick to mushies but not enough. Anyone else hungry?

I'm telling people I'm going on a cruise in December and want to look and feel my best.

If she was a true best friend, you would have told her a long time ago. Just my opinion. I told my best friends because I know they will support my decision. That being said, they don't always agree with my decisions but they are always respectful and care enough to express their concerns in a caring manner. I have other "friends" I will never tell because they would have something crummy or critical to express. My advice: find friends who love you, respect you and care enough to really listen.

You need more calories/food than that. My suggestion if you're worried? When you find out you are pregnant, get an unfill and have your OB consult with surgeon. Gaining too much weight (80 pounds) isn't good for you or baby so maybe a slight fill will help you find the middle ground. I would, however, work with a nutritionist to ensure you and baby are getting to eat. Good luck!

You all are quite welcome. Love others, encourage others, celebrate successes of your own and well as others. Let's bring positive things into others lives and spread the wealth.